Hermann Schlegel Paintings

Hermann Schlegel was not an artist in the traditional sense of a painter or sculptor but was a German ornithologist and herpetologist. Born on June 10, 1804, in Altenburg, Thuringia, Schlegel initially pursued a career in pharmacy but soon found his passion in the study of natural history.

In 1824, Schlegel moved to the Netherlands and began working at the Natural History Museum in Leiden. His work there, particularly his focus on ornithology, led to a significant expansion of the museum's collection of birds. Schlegel became the museum's curator in 1845 and later its director, a position he held until his death.

Throughout his career, Schlegel specialized in the classification and description of birds. He was highly respected for his extensive contributions to ornithology, including his work on the monograph 'De Vogels van Nederlandsch Indië' (The Birds of the Dutch Indies) and his involvement in the development of the museum's vast ornithological collection, which became one of the most comprehensive in the world at the time.

Additionally, Schlegel played a key role in the establishment of the field of herpetology. He described many new species of reptiles and amphibians, and his work laid the foundation for the scientific study of these groups of animals.

In the broader scientific community, Schlegel was known for his collaboration with other naturalists and for his mentorship of young scientists. He was also involved in the creation of the first international zoological code of nomenclature, which aimed to standardize the scientific naming of animals.

Hermann Schlegel passed away on January 17, 1884, in Leiden, Netherlands. His legacy is carried on through the numerous species named in his honor and through his contributions to the fields of ornithology and herpetology, which continue to influence these sciences to this day.